Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract

Acute renal failure, now termed acute kidney injury (AKI), is a common occurrence in the pediatric intensive care unit. It impacts the management decisions and outcomes of critically ill patients. This chapter will review the factors involved in measuring renal function in children and recognizing abnormal renal function. The major clinical subtypes of AKI and how to distinguish between them will be addressed as well as some of the more common causes within each subtype. Management of AKI will be reviewed, including the indications for renal replacement therapy. The impact of impairment of renal function on the overall management and outcome of the critically ill pediatric patient will be discussed.